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Black Narrows Brewing Company, co-founded by Jenna and Josh Chapman, aims to break ground later this month and open its doors on Chincoteague this fall in the former shucking house of Little Bay Seafood Company.

The Chapmans, joined by her parents Bob and Wendy Huntley and sister Katie Branscome, have always felt a sense of commitment to the local community. Josh Chapman, who has vacationed on Chincoteague his whole life, proposed to Jenna Chapman on Assateague; the two were married there and recently celebrated 10 years of marriage with a gathering on the barrier island.

“We always knew that this place held a homelike feel in our hearts,” said Josh Chapman.

Chapman, whose background is in culinary arts, started homebrewing in 2010 after being introduced to the craft by a co-worker. He and Bob Huntley brewed together on a small scale for years before Chapman decided to make the leap to full-time professional brewing in 2013. Chapman began working for Bluejacket, a brewery in Washington, D.C., where he now holds the position of head brewer.

Chapman credits his culinary background as an influence on his brewing style and said a conceptual instead of a stylistic mindset has allowed him throughout his brewing career to choose fresh, local and seasonal ingredients from which he can deduct a flavor profile or recipe.

It was this move into professional brewing that seemed to spark the flame that clearly burns brightly in their lives today, and the Chapmans began to dream of opening their own brewing company on the island.

“It was a dream for a while, but like everywhere else in my life she always does everything better and with a better heart than I do and every time we were down here she would go and spread the gospel of opening up a brewery in Chincoteague,” said Chapman, smiling and gently nudging his wife, Jenna.

One of those people was Robert Richards of Old Neptune's Bookshop, who encouraged the pair from the beginning. Richards called the Chapmans in October 2015 to let them know about the possibility of the building being available for lease and the Chapmans jumped at the opportunity.

“There aren’t a lot of properties that have these giant walk-ins and the giant septic systems, you know? We headed down with the whole family and walked through the building trying our best not to skip and clap,” said Jenna Chapman. The family signed a lease on the building in January.

Josh Chapman displays the label of a bottle of Full As Much Heart, a beer brewed for his daughter. Each year, to celebrate his daughter’s birth, he brews a new batch of beer reflective of her personality during that year of her life. Staff photo Hillary T. Chesson

Josh Chapman pours a glass of Full As Much Heart, a beer brewed for his daughter. Each year, to celebrate his daughter’s birth, he brews a new batch of beer reflective of her personality during that year of her life. Staff photo Hillary T. Chesson

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The Chapmans credit her parents for being their biggest support system and say that their confidence, faith and reassurance has been humbling.

The Chapmans and the Huntleys used the Rollovers as Business Startups (ROBS) program to initially fund the brewery. ROBS allows individuals to form a C Corporation and create a 401(k) plan. The funds from a personal retirement account can then be transferred into a company 401(k). The plan uses the funds to purchase stock in the corporation, which can then be used to start a new business. Funding the business without help from outside investors was important to the family.

“It’s on purpose, which is terrifying, but at least at the end of the day if we fail we fail on our own merits and not because we had to compromise. I think that represents the island a lot better,” said Josh Chapman.

The Chapmans will practice a movement in line with their company’s ethos called One Local, One Global. Black Narrows will donate 5 percent of its gross beer sales to a global cause that will change from year to year and divide 5 percent between 12 local causes that will be highlighted, monthly.

“We’re not a faceless corporation,” said Jenna Chapman. “This community is really important to us. We want to lift up this community and its small, local businesses. It’s one of the big things we’ve known since the beginning. We want to change the world and we’re going to start by brewing beer, together.”

Black Narrows will brew with an all-electric brewing system from Colorado Brewing Systems which can brew a full volume batch of one beer or two differently styled beers, simultaneously, and the first beer available by Black Narrows will be a collaboration with the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company to help raise funds for their new firehouse.

The family, in addition to being committed to the economic support of the community, has remained mindful of the logistical environmental realities.

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Josh Chapman displays the label of a bottle of Full As Much Heart, a beer brewed for his daughter. Each year, to celebrate his daughter’s birth, he brews a new batch of beer reflective of her personality during that year of her life.(Photo: Staff photo Hillary T. Chesson)

“I am concerned about our water usage and our waste procedures. Again, one of the things that’s great about the island is the natural beauty. We want to be able to use as little as possible and reuse as much as possible,” said Josh Chapman.

Black Narrows has reached out to Perennial Roots Farm in Accomac to discuss taking spent grain and hops matter that would otherwise be discarded. The effluent from the brewhouse will be captured in a tank that Boggs Water & Sewage will pump out and transport to their water treatment facility in Onancock. The septic system — good for 1,000 gallons a day — will only be used for restroom facilities and water from washing dishware.

“We’re not only the first brewery on Chincoteague, but the first brewery in Accomack County. At first, that’s daunting, right? You’re waiting for the body blows to come, but in reality if you’re starting a business you’re already trying to do something that’s value based and that you feel is important. So, I’m excited it’s on us and that we get the responsibility of helping this county understand what a craft brewery is and how it can operate environmentally, fiscally and even agriculturally in a really forward-thinking way,” said Josh Chapman.

“I know that we care and I can’t think of anybody that’s going to care more than we do so I’d rather it just be us to set the standard as high as we possibly can right off the bat.”

Readers can follow the progress of Black Narrows Brewing Company via its website at www.blacknarrowsbrewing.com or its Instagram @blacknarrows.